The best things to do in Glacier National Park

The annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival is a hoot, as crowds gather around Flathead Lake for family-friendly fun. Even if you aren’t part of the main festivities, you can find plenty to do to fill the weekend, with shops, restaurants and other attractions all within walking distance.

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The Huckleberry 100 takes riders on a 100-mile course from Kalispell through the area’s liveliest towns and most scenic byways in the Flathead Valley. If 100 miles sounds like, well, a bit much, you can also sign up for the 50-mile, 25-mile or family ride options. No matter what, it’s a sight to see, as hundreds of cyclists fill downtown streets and rural highways alike.

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Take a hike, go mountain biking, hit the free archery range or simply take in the scenic views from one of the overlooks, where, on a clear day, you can cast your eyes over Glacier National Park, the Whitefish Mountain range and Flathead Lake.

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Way off the beaten path (60 miles from Kalispell) in a tiny unincorporated area called Essex, you’ll find the Izaak Walton Inn. Spend the night in a caboose or opt for one of the more traditional lodge rooms, with easy access to a charming restaurant—a depot-themed spot with a chef who’s both clever and accommodating (our party had both a vegetarian and a dairy allergy, and while offerings like stuffed mushrooms and garlic cauliflower may sound simple, they were divine). The historic inn under the stars dates back to 1939 and is open year-round. From here you can hit the trail to cross-country ski, or simply catch up on some rest after a long train journey (Amtrak will all but drop you at the inn’s door). Downstairs, a laid-back bar makes you feel like you’re hanging out in a friend’s basement, but with shuffleboard, foosball, pool and a piano, just in case you’re feeling fancy.

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Order a pizza from the walk-up window just inside Moose’s Saloon, a Kalispell institution since the ’50s. And don’t be afraid to get a little messy—you’ll find peanut shells all over the floor and past customers’ initials and messages carved into every inch of the tables and walls. While the eatery and bar is family-friendly all day, you’ll also be at home with the locals in the evening when you mosey on up to the bar for a cheap local beer in a frosted mug.

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While the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell hosts rotating exhibits that cover everything from women in art to photos of native wildlife, the permanent exhibition shows off the grandeur of Glacier National Park. Take in works from local photographers and artists as well as vintage maps. The museum itself is housed in a turn-of-the-century Carnegie Library Building.

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